In a resounding “NO” to US President Donald J. Trump’s decision to withdraw the country from the Paris Agreement on climate change, business and industries across the US have pledged that they will continue to work toward reducing carbon emissions, presidential order be damned. It’s a beautiful thing and the right household decision.

No, really, the household and personal products industry is determined to reduce their carbon emissions. Last month an array of companies in Happi’s field announced that they would continue working together toward a low-carbon future to help ensure a healthier and safer world. A small beauty business like Teadora Beauty stands side-by-side with a multinational like Estée Lauder in making the pledge, as does Unilever and L’Oréal. Major raw material suppliers have signed on as well, including BASF and DSM. Very impressive. And very fast. The ink wasn’t dry on Trump’s order before household and personal product industry companies went to work. It’s just another sign how businesses can lead the way when governments try to stand in the way. It may be a blueprint, too, for future issues that threaten the world in which we live.

Of course, companies are in business to make money, too. To get an overview of the activities of the biggest and best players in our sector, find out how their year went and what’s ahead, please read The Top 50, our annual look at the biggest US companies in the global household and personal products industry.

Also, Christine Esposito reports on how key suppliers are handling changes in the preservative category. In today’s fast-paced world, consumers expect their beauty products to perform double-duty. Read Skinnovations in Cosmetics by Melissa Meisel to find out how crafty formulators are infusing color cosmetics with skin-caring ingredients.

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